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Nicknames are familiar or comical names given to people instead of their real names, and they are frequently seen as desirable or as a form of acceptance or ridicule. And according to science, giving your relationship a pet name or nickname might strengthen it. A new study has found that couples who give each other such names are more likely to be happy in their relationship. Endearments like babe, love, mahal, or sayang are the most common types of nicknames for people in a relationship, well, except for a specific couple celebrating their four years of dating this Valentine’s Day.
It has been four years since Choi Hyunsuk became Park Jihoon’s boyfriend, but the latter had never given him any sort of endearment. Four years together, and he still calls his boyfriend Hyunsuk-hyung .
It may not be a big deal to others, but not for Hyunsuk, especially when his boyfriend has nicknames for their whole friend group. Even though Jihoon would just add -ie to their names like Jaehyukie, Yedamie, or Doyoungie. It did not help when Jihoon’s best friend had the most unique nickname of them all, calling him Kyuola.
Hyunsuk had enough when he saw how he was named in Jihoon’s contacts, YG Choi Hyunsuk . Is he even his boyfriend or a simple colleague?
Feeling down, he asked Mashiho out for a simple stroll. They were walking alongside the Han River when Hyunsuk received a call from Jihoon.
“Hoonie~ Yes? I’m with Mashi. Okay, see you in a bit! Thanks. Love you. ”
“So? What did he need? ”
“Jihoonie just invited us for dinner later with Kyu. ”
“Then that’s great, hyung! Why the long face tho? ”
“My Hoonie only calls me Hyunsuk-hyung, and nothing else, not even Hyunsukie-hyung! You know, when a person makes you their girlfriend or boyfriend, they come up with nicknames or pet names like yeobo or baby. His own personal stamp on you! ”
“Hyung, maybe you should just let whatever happens happen. You know, naturally. Maybe he might call you sukie sooner or later. ”
“Naturally, sooner? It has been four years, Mashi! Ugh, come on, let's get ready for dinner later. ”
Later that day, the boys met at the restaurant with Jihoon and Junkyu already seated at their reserved table. There was nothing wrong with having a double date with their best friend on the day of their anniversary. But Hyunsuk wished he could solo his boyfriend this Valentine’s.
They were enjoying their meals and discussing events over dinner when Jihoon asked Mashiho questions about his relationship with Junkyu.
"Yah, Mashi~ How is it going with this Kyuola? Is he treating you right? He doesn't tell me about your guy's relationship, even when I bribe him with ice cream. " Jihoon questioned as he sulked beside his best friend. Hyunsuk was too stunned to react that he dropped his fork before Mashiho could answer Jihoon.
"Hyunsuk-hyung? Are you okay? I'll have the waiter get you another fork. " There was it again, calling him Hyunsuk-hyung after calling their friends with his stupid nicknames. Mashiho noticed this and decided to cut in.
"Hey babe, I think I left something in my car. Can you get it for me, please? Thank you. " Mashiho asked his boyfriend, Junkyu, before changing his mind.
"On second thought, just come with me. Jihoonie-hyung, Hyunsukie-hyung, we'll be right back. Just enjoy your meal while we're gone. "
Mashiho stood up and proceeded to drag Junkyu out of the restaurant so the couple seated could talk this out.
Hyunsuk and Jihoon were surrounded by this awkward tension, and Jihoon could not take it anymore. He decided to break the ice and tried to start up a conversation.
"Hyunsuk-hyung, it's so nice to see our best friends finally dating each other. They were too stubborn to admit they like each other now look at Mashi and Kyu; love is evident in their eyes whenever they see each other. "
With Jihoon's acknowledgment of their best friend's relationship, it pulled out every string left in Hyunsuk and let out a cry.
"Hyung? Hyunsuk-hyung, what happened? Why are you crying all of the sudden? " Jihoon asked. With no clue what to do with his crying boyfriend. "Are you hurt, hyung? Is the food not good? Should we go to another restaurant? Hyunsuk-hyung, talk to me please? " Jihoon was puzzled, still don't know how to make his boyfriend stop crying.
"You're supposed to call me Sukkie when I cry. Wait, no! I'm not supposed to nickname myself! You're supposed to come up with it! " Hyunsuk cried louder. Other guests began to look at their table, curious about what happened to the crying man. "You do not even care enough to try! We've been together for four years, and you still call me Hyunsuk-hyung. I know I'm older, but I'm also your boyfriend! "
Jihoon was surprised by his boyfriend's sudden confession. He was about to explain when Hyunsuk cut him off. "Even Jeongwoo and Junkyu have a way sweeter nicknames than me when you could almost cut each other's throats! He's named YG Woobear in your contacts and Kyu as YG Kyuola, and I'm YG Choi Hyunsuk! Yah! Are we even dating? Or am I just your co-leader? You know what? I'll just go back to the dorms. Just tell Mashikyu, I have an upset stomach. " Hyunsuk was about to leave when Jihoon caught his wrist.
"Wait, hyung. Before you leave, I call you Hyunsuk-hyung, not because I don't care enough to come up with a cute nickname for you. I call you Hyunsuk because I happen to really like that name. "
"You do? "
"Of course I do! Cause it's YOUR name. And I think I've already told this once, but when I'll have a child someday, I would name it after you. Cause I really, like really like your name. "
"You mean it? "
"Yeah, I didn't know it bothered you so much. You should have told me sooner. From now on, I'll call you Sukkie, if anyone already calls you that, tell them to change it cause you're my only Sukkie, okay? "
"Okay. Love you Hoonie. "
"I love you my Sukkie. "
*Hugs*